Washing bamboo gym wear without losing its stretch
Short answer: Bamboo gym wear keeps its stretch best if you wash it on a gentle cycle at a low temperature, avoid fabric softener and the tumble dryer, and hang it up to dry. It is heat and coatings on the fabric that wear out the elastic, so a mild and regular wash pays off.
Why stretch fades over time
Stretch comes from elastane in the fabric, and elastane is worn down by heat, hard rubbing and chemicals, so clothes slowly turn slack and lose their shape. A gentle wash extends the life, and you can feel the difference in how well the clothes fit after many months of use. See bamboo training clothes for women.
Wash bamboo gym wear as soon as you can
Do not leave sweaty clothes in a damp bag for days, because moisture and bacteria can settle in the fabric and cause odour. Hang them up after training so they can air, and wash them ideally the same or the next day, so they do not keep smelling of sweat.
Cycle and temperature
Choose a gentle cycle at thirty degrees and turn the clothes inside out, so the sweat sits on the outside and the surface is not worn. Always follow the label in each piece, because it decides what your clothes can take, and use a wash bag for thin pieces and bras.
Detergent and fabric softener
Use a mild liquid detergent and avoid fabric softener, which can leave a film on the fabric and make the elastic lose its grip. Do not use too much detergent, because residue can stay in the fabric and make it stiff, and run the machine with a suitable load.
What to wash with your gym wear
Wash gym wear with other light clothes of the same colour, and avoid items with zips, hook-and-loop fasteners and hooks, which can catch and tear the thin fabric. Heavy items such as jeans and towels rub against the fabric, so keep them out of the same load.
Drying that preserves the elastic
Hang the clothes up to dry on a rack, and avoid the tumble dryer, radiators and direct sun, which can dry out the elastic and make it give way. Bamboo viscose is also weak when wet, so lift the clothes rather than wring them.
Odour and stains
If the clothes have picked up a smell, you can soak them in cold water with a little mild detergent for half an hour before washing as usual. Rinse stains out in cold water as soon as you can, and do not rub the fabric hard, so the fibres do not get roughed up.
Storage and rotation
Store the clothes dry and not packed tightly together, and use several sets so each one rests in between. That is kinder to the elastic, and with a women's long-sleeved bamboo T-shirt and a few bamboo panties you can keep a whole week of gym clothes in rotation.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I wash gym clothes?
Ideally after every wear, so sweat and odour do not settle in the fabric. Hang them up in the meantime so they can air, and wash them the same or the next day.
Can gym clothes go in the tumble dryer?
It is not normally recommended, because the heat can wear the elastic and reduce the stretch. Hang them on a rack and follow the label in your own clothes.
Why should I avoid fabric softener?
Fabric softener can leave a film on the fabric and make the elastic lose its grip. Use a mild detergent instead and rinse well, so the clothes go on fitting properly.
